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A Four-Letter Word? Well, more than than...

This week we are talking about evangelism. For many this is
a four-letter word. It brings up a tremendous amount of negative connotation
because of the intrusiveness of those that have historically claimed to be
evangelists. But let’s look at what evangelism really is. It is defined by the
Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Theology as the proclamation of the Good News
of salvation in Jesus Christ with a view to bring about the reconciliation of
the sinner to God the father through the work of the Holy Spirit.

That is a mouth full. How do we contextualize this for
today’s non-Christian audience without loosing the meaning for the Christian
that wants to participate in communicating the hope found in God to those
struggling? Let’s begin by looking at the basic components.

Proclamation indicates that we are to tell people about
something. This means that we are to share an important story, concept,
experience or event with people. It is defined by a clear declaration of
something. But if we are going to make a declaration about something we should
make sure that the people we are declaring it to are willing and capable of
hearing what we are telling them. Does the current cultural context have the
willingness and capacity to hear about Christ and salvation? I would say that
the answer is no most of the time. People are very interested in having a
recovery/restoration conversation that equips them to find greater peace and
happiness in life and not very interested in having a sin/salvation
conversation. What they do not want is to be talked at about something that
they do not feel is relevant or needed. How can we shape the evangelism message
to the audience that we are seeking to connect with? Perhaps Paul had it right
in his letter to the Corinthian church?

1 Cor. 9:22 To the weak I became weak, that I
might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I
might save some.

What is evangelism not? It is not intrusive. Evangelism
honors people’s boundaries and their context as Jesus did with the Samaritan
woman at the well (see John 4:1-42). It is grounded in loving our neighbor
rather than trying to inform them into faith.

So, how do we define evangelism in a way that alleviates the
negative connotation attached to it while making it easy for everyone to
appropriate? Evangelism is simply the act of sharing the experience, strength
and hope that we found in the Gospel message with those that we are in a
seeking relationship with and whom are willing so that they can experience the
restorative power of faith in God that we have. Evangelism should be based
around the idea of attraction rather than promotion. Remember Jesus was not a
salesman and an expert at self-promotion. He was an expert at meeting people
where they were and facilitating restorative relationship. We do not need to
sell Christ and salvation to those that do not want it but simply need to
continue to cultivate the relational potential for hope and allow the Holy
Spirit to be the results provider.

Nathan

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